The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an inquiry into the multi-crore scam in the Tripura Public Works Department (PWD) involving ex-Tripura Minister and others.
The Tripura government has handed over the multi-crore PWD corruption case to the ED.
Former Public Works Minister Badal Chowdhury had earlier been arrested in the case. Police also arrested YP Singh and Sunil Bhowmik in connection with the corruption case. The crime branch was investigating the corruption case worth around Rs 600 crore against them. The multi-crore PWD became a well-discussed issue after the arrest of the accused persons
Police sources claimed public money was embezzled while executing several developmental projects. However, Police have not yet submitted the charge sheet in the case.
After the case was handed over to the ED, it has started search operations for the assets of former Public Works Department Minister and incumbent Deputy Leader of Opposition Badal Chowdhury, former Chief Secretary YP Singh and former Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department Sunil Bhowmik.
Earlier, the case was under the Crime Branch. A case has been registered against six persons including Chowdhury and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Sources in the investigating agency claimed that the investigation is still in its infancy and no notice has been sent to any of the accused.
From the media reports it was learnt, in a letter signed by Bikash Phogat, assistant director of the Agartala sub-zonal office of the ED, the head of the Land Records and Settlement Rights Office and the SDM of Sadar, Jirania and Belonia wanted to know the amount of property registered with the government in the names of the six accused.
